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2010
Introduce Video Modeling (VOL), a software application that helps individuals learn new behavioral skills in a two-step learning process (View & Do). An onscreen highlighter helps the learner focus on key portions of the video. |
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2009
Introduce ALP Animated Graphics (AAG), a set of dynamic graphic depictions for over 100 action verbs and prepositions. The graphic images were created using a consistent theme for agents and objects in order to optimize acquisition of these hard to learn language concepts. |
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2009
Introduce Teaching Language Concepts (TLC), a software application that teaches action verbs, prepositions and descriptors. The selection of a logical sequence of graphic symbols (composed of essential language elements) leads to an associated video clip. An important option of the application is a personalization feature whereby video clips and still images reflecting personalized content can be easily uploaded into the program’s image warehouse. |
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2006
Introduce Learning Together with Music, a software program with music, games and visual supports to help acquire and improve language for children with language/learning difficulties. |
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2006
Introduce Puddingstone Place, an interactive virtual environment for teaching vocabulary and language skills to children with a variety of developmental disabilities. |
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2005
Introduce Two-way Observational Learning as a clinical tool for persons with autism. |
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2003
Remotely deliver AAC over the Internet to modify software at an off-site location. |
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2002
Develop the Children's Hospital Boston Medical Symbol Set. |
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2002
Develop visual-based curriculum in a collaborative affiliation with Monarch School for Children with Autism. |
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2002
Develop first clinical application using scene and element cues for persons with autism. |
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1997
Develop EyeWare, an eye gaze communication system for persons with severely limited motor control. |
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1996
Develop Companion, the first clinical application of graphical metaphor (currently known as a visual scene display) in AAC. |
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1996
Establish the Children's Hospital Boston Model for AAC in the Intensive Care Unit featuring the first focused use of Voice and Message Banking for patients who will experience a short or long term loss of speech skill. |
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1995
Develop Freestyle, the first AAC device with a computer operating system. |
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1995
Develop LINK, a portable alphanumeric device with speech output for persons with good access to the keyboard, but poor speech output. |
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1994
Develop MultiPhone, an AAC-based telephone for the world market. |
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1993
Conduct double-blind studies and create clinical protocols for establishing the actual author during facilitated communication (FC). Research contributes to the debunking of the FC phenomenon. |
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1991
After a partnership with Digital Equipment Corporation, develop MultiVoice, the first voice synthesizer developed expressly for persons with disabilities. The MultiVoice uses high quality dec-talk speech. |
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1991
Develop WriteAway, the first word prediction, word processing software program for persons with language learning disabilities, after determining a clinical need for a software program that would help author predict the spelling of words. |
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1991
Develop VoisShapes?, an AAC software application that uses graphic elements of American Sign Language to create words and phrases. |
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1989
Mobile Outreach Program hits the road, the first mobile AAC clinic dedicated to providing service to less mobile persons and more rural communities. |
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1988
Introduce voice banking in clinical practice at the Communication Enhancement Center and inpatient population at Children's Hospital Boston. |
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1985
Introduce the first clinical application of voice recognition for persons with spinal cord injuries. |
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1985
Feature matching as a diagnostic tool is introduced in routine clinical practice at the Communication Enhancement Center. |
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1985
Communication Enhancement Center, the first center in the United States dedicated to AAC, opens at Children's Hospital Boston. |
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1984
Develop Message Maker-Scanning software, allowing persons who were unable to use a keyboard to efficiently construct messages. As a cursor reached the desired letter, the user could activate a switch to bring up the list of possible word choices. |
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1983
Develop Message Maker-Keyboard software allowing persons with motor disabilities to efficiently construct messages using a computer keyboard. When a letter is selected, the list of words beginning with that letter become available for selection. |
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1983
Mount an Apple IIe on the wheelchair of 15-year-old Tony Bonfiglio, a child with cerebral palsy. This was the first general purpose computer ever mounted on a wheelchair used as a communication device. |
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1981
Develop Target, the first general purpose computer software program that uses scanning for people with physical disabilities. |
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1980
Develop the Election Decision Matrix, the first systematic approach for establishing candidacy for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). |